COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP FOR thOSE interested in human rights, migration, refugees, AND integration
Are you passionate about topics such as migration, refugees, inclusion, and integration? Do you have experience or an interest in public relations, communications, digital communication, intercultural communication, and marketing for NGOs?
This organization provides services to migrants and refugees that came to Cape Town from all over Africa. They also run several projects to contribute to the cultural, social and economic integration between migrants, refugees, and South Africans. This Communications Internship gives you the opportunity to assist with develop and update content for their website and social media, report on events and areas of interest such as human rights, migration, refugees, integration and much more. The communications department is a young department, so this internship is an excellent opportunity to use your creativity and ideas to make an impact.
ORGANIZATION
This organization started in Cape Town in 1994 as religious assistance to different communities of migrants but soon expanded to offering more tangible assistance as they were confronted with the problems experienced by refugees from Angola, the Congos, Rwanda, Burundi and other African communities. In 2003 a secular non-government organization was started to run these projects, the Scalabrini Center of Cape Town (SCCT).
Migration is perceived as an opportunity by this organization, so they are on a mission to alleviate poverty and promoting development in the Western Cape while fostering cultural, social and economic integration between migrants, refugees, and South Africans. In providing their assistance they advocate respect for human rights and use a holistic approach that considers all basic needs.
Every month around 2000 people visit the center, which offers service through six main programme areas:
- Advocacy: Protecting, promoting and advancing the rights and freedoms of migrants and refugees by providing paralegal advice and practical assistance to individuals on a walk-in basis. In addition, this team works on driving deeper systemic change in the South African society and immigration and asylum systems.
- English School: Providing a specialized English language school for refugees and migrants.
- Employment Access: Providing a gateway to employment by providing support to foreign nationals who are legally entitled to look for work in South Africa. The organization provides a combination of skills training, professional development, and resources needed for success in the job market.
- Unite: A unique extra-curricular curriculum for grade 8-11, which provokes a deep exploration of the themes of identity, integration, and diversity to promote activism and critical thought in youth living in South Africa.
- Welfare: Accessing services for migrants and refugees in need. Through a process of consultation, they assist individuals to access basic services such as medical care, schooling, shelter, South African Social Grants (SASSA grants) and assistance with advice/application for voluntary repatriation.
- Women’s Platform: A multi-national network of women that strengthens individuals to enhance economic independence and integration into the broader South African community.
TASKS & REQUIREMENTS
The Communications Team is a recently established team within this NGO. An internship in this field promises to be exciting and fresh and will require you to report on several different events and on different issues pertaining to migration. You are supported by the Communications Manager but are also the kind of person who likes taking initiative and working independently. Ideally, you have experience and an interest in public relations, communications, digital communication, intercultural communication, and marketing for NGOs.
What you’ll do
- Social media management and content creation
- Reporting on events, or items of interest – such events may take place or when the organization is part of an outreach event
- Writing success stories of clients who have benefited from the organization’s services
- Researching and writing interesting or topical articles related to our work
- Assist other departments with internal communications material
- Assist with development and implementation of communications strategies or campaigns (when needed)
This organization also offers internships in English School, Human Rights and Advocacy, Female empowerment, Refugee Empowerment, or an all-round position.
Requirements
- Passionate about topics such as migration, refugees, inclusion, and integration
- Good written and verbal communication, strong editing skills in English
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented
- Excellent computer skills with experience in social media
- The ability to work independently and with others
- The ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
- Openness to learning and growing within the volunteer experience
- Skills in CANVA and photography is a plus – but not required
- Ability to communicate with a variety of people.
- Ability to prioritise and multitask multiple projects
- Experience and interest in public relations, communications, digital communication, intercultural communication and marketing for NGOs
- Minimum availability for three months
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
You’ll be staying at the Lenox, a comfortable guest house in the heart of Cape Town. Built in the old Cape Dutch style, the Lenox is characterful and spacious. It has a garden with a barbeque area, a large dining room, and several other communal spaces. Shared bedrooms take four to eight people, and there are plenty of single rooms available as well (at an extra fee). You’ll be walking distance from a wide range of shops, cafes and restaurants, and at a great spot for some of the touristy highlights Cape Town has to offer as well. (As well as for views of Table Mountain!)
DATES & RATES
You can start your internship every week, so your final starting date is based on what suits you and the organization the best. Please keep in mind this organization is closed for four weeks of summer holiday in December and January.
What you’ll pay (2023 rates)
3 MONTHS USD 2,382
4 MONTHS USD 2,949
5 MONTHS USD 3,517
6 MONTHS USD 4,084
What you are paying for:
- Transfer from Cape Town International airport to your accommodation and back on arrival and departure day
- Accommodation based on a dorm room (4-8 pax). If you prefer a single room, please contact us for availability and prices
- Two meals (breakfast and dinner) a day from Monday to Friday
- Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
- On the ground support during your stay
- Free WiFi
- Assistance with finding the perfect work placement
- Supervision during your internship
- Check-in and feedback as well as a reference letter after your internship
- Your own account on a career development platform that offers content and courses focused on exploring different career opportunities
- Reference letter at the end of your internship
- A discount on weekend activities, exclusive to Roots interns
Excludes:
- Flights
- Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Lunch, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Meals during the weekend
- Transport to the office
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
QUICK FACTS
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Cape Town, South Africa |
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Social NGO |
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Communications, social media, digital marketing, writing |
 |
12-26 Weeks |
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From USD 2,382 |
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
”I gained valuable experience in both research as well as working with an NGO. My tasks included working on the Atlas of Migration, which is an online platform and I wrote an article about the differences between refugee camps and refugee formal settlements. Moreover, I worked a lot on social media platforms and helped out with general communications.
Lola, the NetherlandsMigrants and Refugee Charity Internship, Cape Town
INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Gain practical experience in communications, social media, digital marketing, writing
- Make information accessible and raise awareness of the issues affecting migrants and refugees in the work that this organization does
- Expand your knowledge in the field of human rights, migration, and refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants
- Live and work in Cape Town, arguably one of the most stunning cities in the world.
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Enjoy exploring South Africa’s many highlights during your time off
3 MONTHS USD 2,382
4 MONTHS USD 2,949
5 MONTHS USD 3,517
4 MONTHS USD 2,949
5 MONTHS USD 3,517
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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